What additional recommendation should be made along with oral iron treatment?

The recommendation to limit juice consumption and incorporate Vitamin C is correct because vitamin C plays a vital role in enhancing the absorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract. When iron is taken orally, its absorption can be improved when it's consumed alongside vitamin C, as vitamin C reduces ferric iron to ferrous iron, which is more readily absorbed.

Moreover, limiting juice consumption is important because excessive juice intake, particularly from fruit juices that may contain high levels of fructose, can inhibit iron absorption and contribute to a higher intake of sugar without providing the balanced nutrition necessary for a growing child. The combination of these two strategies helps to maximize the effectiveness of oral iron therapy in treating iron deficiency anemia.

While increasing milk intake may seem beneficial, it can actually hinder iron absorption due to the calcium content in milk. Decreasing sweet and bland foods or advising a vegetarian diet does not specifically target the absorption of iron from supplementation. Therefore, focusing on vitamin C intake in conjunction with iron supplementation is the most effective strategy for improving iron absorption in children.